Mohave Daily News: Sports

LAUGHLIN -- More than 700 of the finest cowboys and cowgirls in the world of professional rodeo will come together today through Sunday, April 4, for the Laughlin River Stampede, rated as one of the most intimate settings on the Wrangler Pro Rodeo Tour.

Laughlin offers a combined purse of $250,000, placing the River Stampede among the top 20 rodeos in America.

The substantial prize money coupled with the opportunity to earn points toward the Wrangler Pro Rodeo Tour Finals draws the very best competitors.

The Laughlin Events Center's outdoor arena seats just over 5,000 spectators.

"When you combine the quality of the competition with the proximity of the seats, the Laughlin River Stampede is unmatched," said Lisa McCabe. vice president of sales and marketing at the Flamingo Laughlin and event chairperson. "To get a better rodeo encounter fans would need to put on the chaps and compete themselves."

The five-day event was scheduled to begin today with the gates opening at 11:30 a.m. (PST). The action starts daily at 1:30 p.m. and continues throughout the weekend. The Sunday finals, which will start at the same time on both sides of the river because of daylight savings time going into effect in California and Nevada. The Sunday finals are to be aired on the Outdoor Life Network (OLN), making it one of the few rodeos to air nationally on cable TV.

Daily event action includes bareback bronc riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, tie-down roping, barrel racing and bull riding.

In addition there will be appearances by Miss Rodeo Nevada and Miss Rodeo America. The highly anticipated Laughlin River Stampede Cowboy Poker will be returning this year. A bull is let loose in the arena to charge at a four poker-playing cowboys. The cowboy who remains seated the longest wins the prize money.

Adult tickets are priced at $11.75 today and Thursday, $23 on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with tickets for children 12-and-under available for $6 each day. Senior citizen tickets for $6 are available today and Thursday. Super Chute preferred seating is available for $36 each day. To purchase tickets, call 1-800-308-2253 or visit www.visitlaughlin.com to book room and ticket packages at your favorite Laughlin casino.

The rodeo grounds will include a vendor's village with displays, merchandise, food and beverages, The rodeo is sanctioned by the PRCA and produced by Honeycutt Rodeo Company.